Fleet Week goes on despite cutbacks

Naval electronic technician Byron Cooke implores his daughter Rebecka, 2, to give him a kiss at the Fleet Week Big Bay Family Festival Saturday. Cooke is a crew member on the USS Freedom, which was open for tours. Photo by James Gregg/San Diego Union Tribune-ZUMA Press.

Naval electronic technician Byron Cooke implores his daughter Rebecka, 2, to give him a kiss at the Fleet Week Big Bay Family Festival Saturday. Cooke is a crew member on the USS Freedom, which was open for tours. Photo by James Gregg/San Diego Union Tribune-ZUMA Press.

Now more than ever, our men and women in uniform need to be told how much they are appreciated by those they have sworn to defend.

This year, economic challenges certainly have had a greater impact on the annual Fleet Week San Diego festival than ever before. There was a time where we weren’t sure we could hold our events in 2013. Sequestration meant regional U.S. Navy and Marine Corps support would be significantly curtailed.

But like our servicemen and servicewomen’s ability to get the mission done against far more daunting (and, at times, life-threatening) circumstances, the staff and volunteers of Fleet Week got together, tightened our belts and are proud to announce our 2013 schedule.

This isn’t just about putting on a festival. It’s far more personal for us. For the last 16 years, tens of thousands of volunteer hours, along with dedicated corporate sponsors and partner organizations, have been honoring and celebrating the men and women of the military.

This has been our mission since Fleet Week San Diego was created by community and business leaders in 1997. Understanding the great depth of public support for our sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, this group sought to provide a means for San Diego to express its support in a way that would permanently establish the region as a patriotic, pro-military city. They shared a vision to recognize the contributions made by the naval services to the many communities of the greater San Diego region.

San Diego’s military history is extensive and impactful. According to the SDMAC Military Economic Impact Study, which was published in 2012, 25 percent of San Diego jobs are influenced by military industrial spending. The men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have an enormous effect on our region. Fleet Week San Diego provides the community with the opportunity to get a “close up” look at their efforts and contributions and to show appreciation for the courage and commitment of our military.

Fleet Week has always enjoyed the cooperation of the region’s Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard leadership, and this year is no different. Although this year was marked by unprecedented cutbacks that forced the military to curtail some of its usual support, local military bases, ships and aircraft still will be accessible to the public through Fleet Week events.

Putting the festival on this year has been by far the most challenging, but also without question the most rewarding. Now all we need to make 2013 a remarkable success is you. Visit www.fleetweeksandiego.org for more information on how to attend, participate and contribute to this year’s festival.

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Froman Blue, RADM USN (Ret.) is chairman and CEO of the National Veterans Transition Services Inc. and Honorary Chairperson for Fleet Week San Diego 2013. Cassani is 2013 president of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation board of directors. Squires is executive director of the San Diego Fleet Week Fo